2014-11-26 06:28:11
“We should revive the great era of SAARC Solidarity”, says Maldives Foreign Minister
“We should revive the great era of SAARC Solidarity”, says Maldives Foreign Minister
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The Foreign Minister of Maldives Dunya Maumoon has called to “revive the great era of SAARC Solidarity”. The Minister made the statement at the opening of the 36th Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers today in Kathmandu, Nepal.
“We are the custodians of a past in which the Leaders of this Association have repeatedly reiterated for greater consultation amongst South Asian countries in international forums on issues of mutual and common concern. This was based on the wisdom that development of collective and common positions would enhance both the international profile of SAARC and would bring maximum benefits to SAARC jointly”, said the Minister.
Continuing on this note, Foreign Minister recalled the importance attached by all Member States in the past to SAARC Solidarity; a principled and collective approach towards enhancing regional unity. The Minister affirmed Maldives’ strong position in this regard.
Noting that SAARC is embarking on its 30th year of inception, the Minister urged all Member States to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past three decades. She stated that SAARC has expanded vastly in its areas of cooperation but that it has not deepened integration for the benefit of the region.
She noted that the Maldives had always advocated for “trimming the frills” in the working methodology of SAARC. She stated that the closure and merger of regional Centers in an effort towards bringing greater focus in current regional priorities. Thanking her South Asian colleagues, the Foreign Minister underscored the importance of rationalizing and harmonizing costs of administration and Secretariat as well as the Regional Centers.
In today’s Meeting, Foreign Minister Dunya handed over the Chairmanship of the Council to the host of the 18th SAARC Summit, the Government of Nepal. The Council noted the dynamic Chairmanship by Maldives in the last three years.
“We are the custodians of a past in which the Leaders of this Association have repeatedly reiterated for greater consultation amongst South Asian countries in international forums on issues of mutual and common concern. This was based on the wisdom that development of collective and common positions would enhance both the international profile of SAARC and would bring maximum benefits to SAARC jointly”, said the Minister.
Continuing on this note, Foreign Minister recalled the importance attached by all Member States in the past to SAARC Solidarity; a principled and collective approach towards enhancing regional unity. The Minister affirmed Maldives’ strong position in this regard.
Noting that SAARC is embarking on its 30th year of inception, the Minister urged all Member States to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past three decades. She stated that SAARC has expanded vastly in its areas of cooperation but that it has not deepened integration for the benefit of the region.
She noted that the Maldives had always advocated for “trimming the frills” in the working methodology of SAARC. She stated that the closure and merger of regional Centers in an effort towards bringing greater focus in current regional priorities. Thanking her South Asian colleagues, the Foreign Minister underscored the importance of rationalizing and harmonizing costs of administration and Secretariat as well as the Regional Centers.
In today’s Meeting, Foreign Minister Dunya handed over the Chairmanship of the Council to the host of the 18th SAARC Summit, the Government of Nepal. The Council noted the dynamic Chairmanship by Maldives in the last three years.